Squeaky or Grinding Brakes: Causes and What to Do

Brake noise is one of the most common reasons drivers visit a garage. The sound tells a lot about the cause, and whether it is a small fix or an urgent repair.

What the sound means

• High-pitched squeal when braking lightly. Many pads have a small metal wear indicator that squeals when the friction material is nearly used up. It is a built-in warning to replace the pads soon.
• Squeak in the morning or after rain that disappears after a few stops. Moisture and a thin film of rust on the rotors. Usually harmless.
• Squeal all the time, even without pressing the pedal. A stuck caliper, a bent shield or glazed pads.
• Deep grinding, a metal-on-metal sound. The pad is worn through and the steel backing plate is scraping the rotor. Stop driving as soon as you can: braking power drops and the rotors get scored, which makes the repair much more expensive.
• Clicking or clunking when you press or release the pedal: loose pads, worn hardware or caliper bolts.
• Pulsation or shaking through the pedal or steering wheel: warped or unevenly worn rotors.

Why brakes squeal even when they are fine

Hard, low-quality or glazed pads, missing anti-squeal shims, dust and dirt between the pad and the caliper, or a new pad that has not bedded in. These noises are annoying, but they usually come without a loss of braking power.

How to check the pads yourself

Look through the spokes of the wheel at the brake pad pressed against the rotor. If the friction material is thinner than about a quarter of an inch (around 6 mm), plan to replace it. Also check for a soft or sinking brake pedal, a pull to one side when braking and a brake warning light on the dashboard.

What a repair usually includes

• New pads on the axle (always in pairs, left and right).
• Resurfacing or replacing the rotors when they are scored, too thin or warped.
• Cleaning and lubricating the caliper slides, and replacing worn hardware.
• Checking brake fluid, which absorbs moisture over the years and should be changed on schedule.

When to stop driving

Grinding, a pedal that goes to the floor, a pull to one side or a brake fluid leak: do not wait. Find a garage that does brake service near you, check recent reviews and ask for the inspection result with photos of the worn parts.